A domestic hot water boiler is a device designed to heat residential and utility premises by using the thermal energy released during the combustion of fuel. The coolant can be used both in a closed loop and in a flow-through mode for domestic purposes. The scope of the devices is unusually wide. Modern devices are compact, safe and highly efficient.
Hot water boiler device
The basic design of heating devices is approximately the same and may differ in terms of fuel consumption, power, size and country of origin.
A standard hot water heating boiler consists of the following parts:
- steel body;
- burner;
- wick;
- inlet pipes (located at the bottom);
- outlet pipes (located on top of the body);
- steam valve;
- the combustion chamber;
- water heat exchangers;
- firebox with a door;
- blower with a handle;
- chimney with valve and protective cap.
The furnace of solid fuel boilers is equipped with grate bars designed to accommodate fuel and discharge waste products (slag, ash, ash) into the ash pan.
The principle of operation of water heating boilers is as follows:
- loading fuel into the furnace and setting it on fire (connecting an electric heating element);
- filling the circuit and heat exchanger with water;
- the liquid heats up, under the influence of a pump or due to a pressure drop, moves by gravity through the pipes;
- combustion products are discharged through a conventional or coaxial chimney;
- the valve regulates the supply of air required for fuel combustion.
The boilers are made of strong heat-resistant steel that can withstand high temperatures.
Modifications by fuel type
According to the method of heating the coolant, two types of boilers are distinguished:
- Water tube. In them, the liquid is heated in a heat exchanger under the influence of the heat of the burning fuel. The smoke is led out into the street through an insulated chimney.
- Gas-tube. It uses the energy of the combustion gases. They pass through a pipe, on top of which another external pipe with liquid is installed.
The devices can be universal or operate on only one fuel. Classification of hot water boilers:
- Solid fuel. The units can be fueled with coal, wood, briquettes, plastic and rubber. They have a simple and reliable device, but they strongly pollute the environment.
- Gas fuel. They are the best option in terms of environmental friendliness and economy. They are distinguished by high reliability and safety. A gas hot water boiler is an excellent choice if it is possible to connect to an industrial mains.
- Liquid fuel. They run on diesel fuel, but can also burn other liquid hydrocarbons. By the principle of action, they are similar to gas counterparts, but they emit toxic smoke.
- Electrical. They are the cleanest in terms of ecology, since there are no by-products at all. The downside is that energy is expensive and heating costs can be prohibitive.
The choice of the boiler is carried out based on the analysis of the market and the cost of fuel. Priority should be given to economical options and versatile designs.
Classification by type of accommodation
Water heating devices, depending on their capacity and design, have different weights and sizes. This largely determines the place where they are allowed to be installed.
Floor products are characterized by significant weight and dimensions. It is impossible to suspend them precisely because of these factors, since not every bearing surface can withstand such a load. The plus is that such devices are more reliable and functional.
Wall-hung boilers are compact and lightweight. Their development was initially aimed at ensuring that the products could be installed in tight spaces - a kitchen, a bathroom, a basement. Due to the size limitation, such boilers are not designed for high power, the tightness of the parts makes them difficult to maintain and reduces the level of reliability.
Specifications
The main technical characteristics of hot water technology are as follows:
- device - fire-tube, water-tube;
- working temperature - low temperature (up to + 115 ºС), high temperature (+ 115-200 ºС);
- coolant - water;
- functionality - single-circuit (heating only), double-circuit (heating, hot water supply);
- nominal pressure in the system - 0.6-0.8 MPa;
- produced power - 3-28 kW;
- types of fuel - firewood, briquettes, gas, diesel, mining, fuel oil, electricity;
- control - manual, automatic.
The choice of a product is based on its purpose, size and configuration of the object in which it will be installed.
Operating rules
The service life of the boiler depends on the quality of its manufacture, the solutions used in the assembly and compliance with operating standards. The installation of the device must be carried out in strict accordance with the technical description of the product and the drawing.
The use of the device assumes compliance with the following rules:
- use only those types of fuel that are listed in the instructions for the device;
- when using solid fuel devices, have containers for pouring the extracted ash;
- the firebox door must be constantly closed;
- make sure that the temperature and pressure set by the regulations are maintained in the circuit;
- the room where the boiler is located must be protected from unauthorized access;
- check of manometers and thermometers should be carried out at least once every 12 months;
- safety valves must be checked and blown out before each boiler start-up;
- regular cleaning of the chimney is mandatory, even if the stove consumes natural gas;
- having heard the indicator signal about a system malfunction, you need to act quickly, in strict accordance with the emergency stop instructions.
To fill the circuit, you need to use water with the standards for salt and alkalinity established for the product in order to prevent the development of corrosion and the formation of plaque inside the circuit.
Application area
The scope of application of hot water boilers extends to all areas of human life. Products are used for heating residential and commercial buildings, covering almost all areas of industry:
Subject to safety requirements, heating equipment can be installed in the following places:
- apartments, dachas, cottages, private houses;
- warehouses;
- agricultural buildings;
- buildings for keeping animals and poultry;
- storage for vegetables and grain;
- hangars and closed pavilions;
- mines, drilling rigs, artels and settlements located outside settlements;
- tourist centers and rest houses.
When choosing a boiler, it is recommended to pay attention to the origin of the goods. Priority should be given to proven manufacturers with a worldwide reputation.
Hot water boiler brands and models
The leading positions are occupied by the following models of gas equipment:
- Wolf GKS Eurotwin;
- Buderus Logano G334WS;
- Vaillant atmoCRAFT VK INT 1454/9;
In addition, you should pay attention to the following brands:
- Ballu;
- Timberk;
- Kovea;
- Pathfinder;
- Siabs;
- Viessmann;
- Ariston;
- Protherm;
- Ferroli;
- Immergas;
- BAXI;
- ATEM.
Of solid fuel boilers, the most popular are the following products:
- Stropuva Mini S8;
- ZOTA Topol-22VK;
- ZOTA Topol-16VK;
- ZOTA Topol-32VK;
- Stropuva S30;
- Stropuva S40;
- TEPLOV Universal TA-40;
- SAS UWT 14;
- TRAYAN TPG-15.
For those who decide to use electricity as a source of energy, it is recommended to opt for such products:
- Zota;
- Rusnit;
- Evan;
- Buderus;
- Proterm.
The choice of a product depends on the conditions of its upcoming operation, the generated power, dimensions and its own financial capabilities. Hot water devices are purchased for decades, it is better not to save money here.
